torrential

adjective

tor·​ren·​tial tȯ-ˈren(t)-shəl How to pronounce torrential (audio)
tə-
1
a
: relating to or having the character of a torrent
torrential rains
b
: caused by or resulting from action of rapid streams
torrential gravel
2
: resembling a torrent in violence or rapidity of flow
torrentially
tȯ-ˈren(t)-sh(ə-)lē
tə- How to pronounce torrential (audio)
adverb

Examples of torrential in a Sentence

The rain caused torrential flooding.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Heavy storms that developed on Thursday afternoon and lasted through the evening dumped torrential rain on millions in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025 The National Bureau of Statistics attributed the manufacturing PMI decline in July to the traditional off-season and factors such as extreme heat and torrential rain in parts of the country. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 31 July 2025 What to Know AccuWeather meteorologists are warning that as a heat wave breaks, significant moisture in the atmosphere could cause torrential downpours and flash floods across seven states on Thursday and Friday. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025 National Weather Service officials are expecting several rounds of thunderstorms to hit the Chicago area Wednesday, creating high waves on Lake Michigan and possible torrential downpours. Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for torrential

Word History

Etymology

torrent entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of torrential was in 1849

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Torrential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torrential. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

torrential

adjective
tor·​ren·​tial tȯ-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce torrential (audio)
tə-
: relating to or resembling a torrent
torrential rains
torrentially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on torrential

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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